My lines burst in the same place. All 4 front had to be replaced from ABS Module box forward. Cost $1384 (US).
What has been most surprising about this problem of brake lines rusted to the point of failure is the deafening silence from GM and the various consumer agencies that are supposed to protect us.
I have had 3 GM vehicles where the brake lines rusted through. In the case of my 2004 Avalanche, I have reported the problem to the National Highway Traffic Association (NHTSA), Consumer Reports (2x), ConsumerAffairs.com (2X), the BBB, two local TV stations, and the Pa. Attorney General's Office. Both GM and the BBB said the mileage on my 5 year old vehicle was to high (38,916) for consideration of "special customer assistance" or mediation. No one else has responded other than the Pa. Attorney General who said they would look into it and Consumer Reports who said they would review my complaint for future reports.
But what adds insult to injury is our Government is more concerned about lead paint in toys and garlic presses. Yes, garlic presses. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission, on 9/16/09 issued a recall (release 09-343) for garlic presses because the blades can break during use, posing a laceration hazard to users. Garlic presses versus bursting brake lines? What's wrong with this picture? How many people have to get killed or injured before the NHTSA realizes there is an epidemic of rusting brake lines out there? But we seem more concerned with nasty garlic presses (that have injured no one) than an out of control 2 or 3 ton vehicle with a sudden loss of brakes. Where is the justice? Where are the priorities?
I believe we are only seeing only the tip of the iceberg of rusting brake lines, especially in the snow belt states and Canada. The NHTSA won't publish numbers (nor will GM). So obtaining the actual nationwide numbers of brake line failures, and resulting accidents and injuries are hard to come by. Not everyone enters complaints into the NHTSA, even if they know the NHTSA exists. Insurance companies and repair shops provide no records. Nevertheless, GM cars in particular, in the snow belt states, seem to be most susceptible to rusting/rotting/failing brake lines. My repair shop tells me they are constantly replacing rusted brake lines. The other evening the local news reported an accident (in Scranton Pa.) involving a late 90's Cadillac that ran up on a sidewalk. Reason for crash, per the state police, was brake line failure.
So perhaps on the surface it might appear there are not enough "numbers" to justify an investigation and/or a class action suit. But how many failures do you need? No brake line or major brake component should fail for any reason on any vehicle. And just think, there is a longer warranty on body rust through than there is on the most critical safety component in the vehicle - its brake lines.
Consumer Reports, not to long ago, did a report on aging tires that could fail. An important safety issue - because manufacturers use a convoluted dating codes and it is not easy to determine the age of a tire. How about aging brake lines? State inspections, where mandated, only measure rotor/brake pad/drum/shoe thickness. Brake lines are NOT always part of the inspection.
If I had the resources, I would start a class action suit. I can't believe the silence from the consumer and safety advocate organizations, plus the media, around this critical safety issue. But not to worry, our garlic presses are now less likely to cause bodily injury than my 6000 lb Avalanche if/when it bursts another brake line.
If your AV is more than a couple of years old and you live where it snows, get under and inspect all the metal brake lines and do so every time your vehicle is serviced. Rusty brake lines MUST be replaced. No, it's not cheap but what's the alternative? And don't expect help or acknowledgement from GM if your AV is out of warranty.
If it sounds like I'm on a crusade - well I am. I can deal with bad windshield wiper modules, crappy intermediate steering shafts, broken tailgate handles, bad power window motors and the like. I can't deal with suddenly no brakes and total ignorance on the part of GM.
Thanks everyone with putting up with a long post.......